Cargo securing system



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CARGO SECURING SYSTEM I v Filed July '10. 1947 K 7 s hee ts-s heet 1' "6f. INVENTOR.

J y 1952 F. L. DAVIS 2,605,064

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- CARGO SECURING SYSTEM Filed July 10; 1947 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 INVENTOR. flaw/r Z 04 ms BY combined in vari Patented July 29, 1952 2,605,064 I cAnGo SECURING sYsrsM' I Frank L. Davis, College Point, N. Y;

Application July 10, 1947, Serial No. 760,173

The invention herein disclosed relates to the securingifseparati n andl ge'neral diSDQS tion of cargo in aircraft and other "forms, oftransports. Objects of the" inventipnljareto provide cargo holding, lacing andretainingmeans which will b d a it a e t v ri t r i ndi i hs, which can be readily installed and used in various combinations to meet difierent eonditions and which will belreliableiand safe in a'll respects,

More,specific"objects orthe invention are to provide readily ins llediunits whichj may be n ysjl tojvbrace and hold cargo a'g'ainst' allfs a1nsj, tO"Wh C a load may be" subjected and to enable separation and assortment of cargo in special gr ups such aslin bins and rompartnients ofvari'o'us' sizes, relations and arrangements. g

Further special objects orthe vention are to provide? units for jsueli purposs, simple in struct1i're,- stron an durablev and. which may be readily coinb'inedandadjusted to serve particu1ar irequirem'eri't's f j. v i I Other" specia obj "of the" invention are" to provide! the. fundamentals of a system seen as outlined which may'b'mcbrperated with or in V are s'tru'ctur'efof the transporting' vehicle. and

serve useful, stfengthening and otherffunctions in that relation, without obstructin or in: any way interfering withi the normal uses and opmam ofsu'ch avmc' e. g r n Particular -objectsof the invention also are to provide a seeuri g and holding syste n oi reasonable cost and lightweight and which. can be incorporated" in the; transport vehicle at the time of building or, later, according to particular circumstances. P O h e a l bje ts again? el mat re through which the purposesoflthe invention are attained are set orthor will appear in the course ii llqw a ee fiq as. 7, a

T e r i ac s m fln i nd: or ng par t es ifi a i n llu trate; c r i pre e tly u 'vfo nv nt on b tit w ll be a arent that structure andarrangementmay be modified and changedin-; wide: limits; all within the true intent and broad 'seopeof the invention *as here'- inafter definedand claimed; i V P ldfifthe aw n sis ab pke cros sectional and perspective: view showing poz tions of the equipment' in--a cqinbined cargo and pas- 9 r a rsrait; V.

2 is rokensensat onal.det i oigp dfithe j t ble hol rdew p m s m ably. and adjustably securingpassenger seats pr the like down on the skid rails of "such-an; aircraft;. a

' Claims. (01. 244-113) Fig. 3 is a broken side elevation of the saine parts; Fig. 4 is a crosssectional view similarto Fig. 1, illustrating installation of a transversepartition utilizing the same skid rails on the floor, walls and ceiling of such a transportv plane; 1. s Fig. 5 is a broken longitudinal sectional view illustrating installation of a longitudinal partition', barrier or the..like; 7 Fig. 6 is a brokenlpart ectiqnarview111mm. ing use of the system to form a carrier-for litters orthe like; .v Fig. 7 is a brokenfpartial plan. Viewillustrating the hanging of the litter in .the holddown straps securedfbetweenfioor and ceiling. tracks orrails, this view appearingas onsubstantially the plane of line 7 -51 ,ofiFig. 6;. n f

Fig. 8 is, an enlarged broken, sectional detail on substantiallythe plane ofline 8-.-v8- of Fig. 6, showing how the track-engagingrings m be utilized to form loops in the hold down straps for supporting the stretoher handles;

Fig. 9 is a broken crosssectional:detailof the track structure, showing a circular form of'slide ring, the parts appearing. as; on substantially the plane of lineflfi9 ofFigifi; e .1 1 v Fig. 10 's-a broken sideelevationv with dotted lines indicating howa slide ring may bfepassed down through notches and caught beneath the outstanding side. flanges. of .a-skidirail; 1 j Figs. 11 andv 12 are broken cross-sectionaland side views similar to Figsnaiand 10, showing how the pull of a hook atan'angle serves to look a slide ring in position on a skid rail; I. Fig. 13 is 'abroken crosssctional view showing onelof the wide l'oop strap holding form' of slide'rings engaged o'na skid rail;- r

Figs. 14 and 15 are broken side: and'top plan Views illustrating adaptationdf a Sfiditfhbok for anchoring a slide 'ring mnes'na' position on i r il; f .I. Figs. 16 andl'? are/ broken perspective views of different forms of rails'or tracksfi. V Fig. 13' is a perspective.'view illustra g'guse of stakes or posts on thegrails f or holding a load on. a. truck,--van, railrgadfcar or like; -Z is a w e r he zisazth 1 0 as coni ned between opposing stakes, secured in adjusted relation on the railsy 1 F -2a Q z -a 'dfi a r enqreit ea a horizontal section viewspf the stake-and rail construction-Fig. 21 appearing ason the line Zi -21 ofFig. Z Qand Fig zzgthe parts fi pearing as on the Pi flinQ??TZ?QQ Fi -'2 Fig. 23 is a broken perspective view of the bracing, clamping and securing foot portion of one of the slidingly mounted stakes.

Fig. 24 is a plan view of a form of adjustable take-up blanket for tying down loads of various shapes and sizes;

Fig. 25 is an enlarged broken sectional detail as on substantially the plane of line 2525 of Fig. 24;

Fig. 26 is a broken sectional view of a form of adjustable length post or stanchion for use with the blankets and. tie-down straps for making up bins and enclosures of different size and shape;

Fig. 27 is a transverse sectional view of the post on substantially the plane of'line 21-41 of Fig. 26;

Fig. 28 is a somewhat diagrammatic view illustrating various uses of the stanchion posts and blankets for holding different kinds of loads in a cargo plane.

In Fig. 1 the invention is shown applied to the securing of cargo and passenger seats in a transport airplane, the boxes and containers 25 representing the cargo, being secured along one side and the seats 26 along the opposite side of the carrier compartment.

For effecting such results the vehicle is equipped with skid rails or tracks 21 and, in a typical installation, these tracks are set in the floor, the side walls and roof or ceiling of the vehicle. Usually they are spaced at equal distances apart but the spacing may be varied to meet any special requirements. Also, while shown running longitudinally of the ship, they may be run transversely or in various angular relations, curves or such combinations as will meet particular requirements. These rails may be sunk substantially flush in the floor, walls or ceiling, or they may project. They may, for one example, be flush in the floor and exposed in other positions.

A feature of the tracks described is that they have skid surfaces 28 at the top or exposed face and side flanges 29 set back from the skid face.

In a typical installation for aircraft, these tracks are made of magnesium extruded in channel or U-shape form with the skid rail surfaces formed by the upstanding edge portions of the channel and the set back flanges projecting from the sides of the channel. This provides lightness with strength and afiords a center space to accommodate fastenings 30' bywhich the channels are secured to the vehicle framing or other structure.

Associated with the tracks are various forms of slide rings and the like which can be hooked over the side flanges 29 and adjusted as needed to various positions on, the tracks.

For cargo hold-down purposes circular hook receiving rings such as shown at 3 I, Fig. 11, may be used, or flat, lower and wider loop rings to receive straps such as shown at 32 in Fig. 13.

In both forms the rings 3| or 32 have companion opposed jaws 33 to engage beneath the side flanges 29 of the rails.

Also, generally, as shown in Figs. 11 and 12, the slide rings will have surfaces 34 opposed to the jaw portions 33 to slidingly engage the tops of the side flanges 29 and an intermediate connecting edge portion 35 to ride the track surfaces 28.

As particularly shown in Fig. 12, the spacing of the flange riding surfaces 34 and the track riding surface 35 from the jaws 33, is preferably such as to cause these edges to bind on top of the side flanges and on the track surfaces when the rings are canted over at an angle, thus to lock them under an applied load in firmly held position on the rails.

To enable the rings to be hooked beneath the side flanges, the latter are shown as having interruptions or gaps 36 at selected intervals, usually of a width just sufiicient to admit the rings in substantially upright or perpendicular position.

The rings may be produced inexpensively in light, strong form by stamping them out of sheet metal and then securing two or more of such stampings together as by riveting or otherwise, as indicated at 31.

Depending on its nature, the cargo may be held by straps or blankets equipped with special takeup devices, as disclosed in copending patent applications Serial No. 587,340, filed April 9, 1945, now U. S. Patent No. 2,442,266, and Serial No. 706,316, filed October 29, 1946, now U. S. Patent No. 2,542,499. a

In Fig. '1 "adjustable take-up straps are shown at 38 having end hooks39 caught to slide rings 3| engaged with skid rails 2'! on the floor and side wall of the carrier, and blankets 40 are shown secured over the load by having hooks 4! at the edges of the same caught to slide rings 31 and pulled tight by take-up straps 38 caught to other slide rings. As many blankets and as many take-up straps may be employed as the bulk, weight andformation of. the load may require, and these straps may be crisscrossed, angled and extended in various directions and caught to rings on the tracks which will afford the best anchorage.

Difierent forms of rail engaging slide rings, hooks or clamps may be used, according to the objects to be held.

Thus in the case or the passenger seats shown at 26 in Fig. 1, jaws are provided which will clamp the legs or frames of the seats or chairs down on the floor rails. These clamps are shown in Figs. 2 and 3 as comprising downwardly reaching, opposed jaw levers 42, 43, drawnjtogether at the opposite sides of the chair legs by through bolts 44 and wing nuts '45. These jaws reach down, around and under the side flanges 29 of the rails and are so designed that with tightening of the nuts 45 they will pull the chair legs downwardly into firmly seated engagement on the skid track surfaces 28. On loosening these bolt fastenings the chairs can be shifted to any desired positions on the rails and secured at such locations by simply tightening the fastenings. Complete removal may be effected by sliding the seats'to positions where the clamps will pass through the gaps 36, Fig. 3, in the side flanges, or by taking out the bolts so as to release the clamp plates.

Partitions for dividing the carrier into different cargo compartments can be quickly set up as shown in Fig. 4, by providing a flexible curtain wall 46' of fabric or the like sufficiently strong for the purpose and sustained by crossed vertical and horizontal straps 41, 43, having hooks 49 at one end to engage slide rings 3| on the roof rails and on the rails at one side of the ship and having hooks 50 at'the opposite ends engageable with slide rings on the floor rails and on the rails at the other side of the cargo compartment. At the latter ends the vertical and horizontal straps are shown-as having take-up buckles 5| similar to those disclosed in the companion application serial No. 587,340, enabling the curtain partition to be tight and secure as required.

The cross partition 46 is shown as having a door section 52- between two of the vertical tensioning straps, which may be opened or closed by aslide fastener indicated at 53.

To make the partition a substantially tight fitting wall, the material may be cut'to fit the particular cross section of the cargo compartment and the edges of the partition be thrust into form fitting engagement with the surrounding wall by appropriately shaped arched springs 78 held in pockets E9 in the correspondingly contoured edge portions of the partition fabric.

The partition walls may be set up longitudinally and in various angular relations.

For example, as shown in Fig. 5,. a curtain or blanket 5% may be extended longitudinally of the ship, caught to roof ring slides at the top by hooks 49 and tensioned to the door slide rings by hooks 56 and take-.upl buckles'tl.

For adjustable take-up purposes, the end portions of the straps to which the buckle bodies are secured, as represented at 55,'may be stitched or otherwise secured to the blanket and the opposite end portions, represented at 56, be attached only at the far edge portion of the blanket where the hooks 49 are located, being free except for sliding through cross guide loops El so that with tightening, any surplus portion of the blanket will be free to gather substantially as represented at 58. Thus the edge portions of the blanket will be held taut with portions in between free to fold or gather if there be excess material in the blanket as thus connected. Fig. 5 shows at the right how a blanket or blankets may be rigged to form an open top wall or bin by stretching it between spaced upright posts or stakes 59 having hooked lower ends 69 caught over the floor rails and braced at their upper ends by extension bars 6| hooked at 62 over ceiling rails and adjust'ably secured to the tops of the stakes by slot and bolt fastenings at 63.

For carrying litters or suspending otherlike objects, the arrangement shown in Figs. 6, '7 and 8 may be employed, embodying take-up straps 38 hooked at the top and bottom to ceiling and floor slides 3| and tightened by the takeup buckles 5| after having looped portions 64 of the same passed through the wide strap loop openings 65 of the flat slides 32 and caught about the handles or hand grips 66 of the litters 6'5.

By proper adjustment of the strap loops 6d and the confining rings 32, stretchersor like objects may be supported, oneabove the other, between two pairs of take-up straps at any desired height from the floor and in different horizontal or inclined relations. v

Litters for injured or the like, may thus be quickly installed in any desired locations and elevations and this manner of carrying litters cushions and insulates the occupants from vibration and shock. v

If desired, the slide rings may be positively locked in position on the rails as by slipping anchorage hooks 68 over and about the same, as in Figs. 14 and l5,'these hooks having tangs such as indicated at 69 to enter and interlock in the notches 36 in the side flanges of the rails.

While the extruded "channel form of track is generally preferred, it is contemplated that the tracks may be formed in general T-shap'e, as indicated at 1B in Fig. 1 6, or be formed of two channels ll, Fig. 17, riveted or otherwise secured together in back-to-back relation to provide in each case the skid rail surfaces 28on top and the retaining flanges 29 at the sides.

The holding or partitioning posts or'stakes 59 may be constructed as shown in detailin' Figs. 19 to 23,. with angularly outstandingijfeet or braces 12 at the bottom carrying clamp screws .13 which can be turned down against underlying surfaces to rock the posts into holding position and'to secure them in adjusted relation on' the tracks. As shown particularly in Figs. 20 and Y23, these clamping screws may carryeacha swiveled gripping pad 14 at the end to afford extended surface holding engagement .with ithe underlying structure. i

To combine lightness with strength,'the posts 5'9 may be made of channel stock, as indicated in Fig. 23, and the rail engag'ingjaws 69 may be integral, at the lower end of the-channel stock. The outstanding brace '12 alsomay be of channel formation and be integrally or otherwise secured to the upright stake.

The outstanding angle bracelZ may also have rail engaging jaws, as shownat l5 in Fig. 23.

Figs. 20, 21 and 22 show how the rail engaging jaws may be constituted as a separate piece iii slidingly engaged on the track and having the post 59 and brace 12 rigid. therewith. swiveled on top of such piece by a, rivet Tl'or other such connection. iv

With this last described arrangement the post and the brace maybe turned around at various angles with respect to the track. to apply the bracing effect to the load in any desired direction. This ability to swivel the brace 12' into different angular relations is of'advantage where space is limited and where itmay be desired to apply the pressure of the clamp screw lsxfrom apoint'at one side of the track instead of directly down on the track. I

The skid tracks may be" built into. the carrier structure as part of the'originaltdesign, providing desired strength, bracing or theilik. If applied later they give additional strength without adding objectionably in weight- In all events they aiiord rails assisting in the loading and placing of cargo, as well as means for holdingthe cargo in. desired relation. p

While ofparticular importance for aircraft, the system disclosed may be used with advantagein all forms of carriers suchas trucks, railway cars,

7 ships and the like, and even for locating, segregating and confining objects in: storage or for ship-.

ment,inwarehouses.

The skid rails with al'lthe various forms of holding devices whichcan be' combined therewith, provide for fastening down,se'parating,segregating, partitioning and otherwise. taking care of practically any kind of load requirements. This, as heretofore shown, includes the handling of passenger as well as commercial loads, orcombinations of both. The adjustments provided for include those necessary to hold and maintain the parts firmly and tightly inthe selected positions. The invention provides for handling particularly difficult loads such as .loads. of steel pipe, loose machine partsand thelike. These may be safely carried by setting up thestake's .59 onthe tracks 21 to form bins or beds for the pipe'lor other objects and" dropping boards' in position across the uprights at the ends of the outlined bins to positively prevent any endwise motion of pipe or other loose objects. For all such problems the tie-down blanket units 45- and; adjustable take-up straps 38 may be used in any number and in any relation to best secure theparticular load. The skid tracks and the various fittings used therewith can all be producedv at reasonably low cost; they are light: weight and; add no objectionable bulk and are practically .universal in their adaptability to difiicult shipping problems.

Different shapes of slide rings other than those shown may be provided. The wide loop form shown in Fig. 13 may be used for all general purposes since it will take either straps or hooks and when detached from the track may be used to form strap supporting loops, as shown particularly-in Fig. 8.

The use of the stakes with stake extensions, as shown in Fig. 5, to provide rigid connections between ceiling and floor or, if desired, across the cargo compartment from one side wall to the other, is desirous for providing barriers or supports for special cargoes, stalls for horses and other such purposes.

In truck constructions such as illustrated in Fig. 18, the load may be held in place by stakes or posts 59 engaged over the rails 2'! on the floor oi the vehicle. Where these stakes do not extend clear to the top and are not secured to the skid rails, roof or ceiling, they may be steadied as by means of a strap 38 secured across skid rails on the sides of the truck body and carrying loops 80 or other holding elements engaged over the tops of the stakes.

Fig. 24 illustrates a two-way or universally contractible form of blanket 8! having longitudinally extending strap sections 82, 83, along the edges and intermediate portions secured at the corners and end edges at 84 and adjustably connected by take-up buckles 85; with corresponding transverse strap sections 86, 81, secured at the corners and side edges at 88 and adjustable as to length by the take-up buckles 89. termediate portions of the crossing, longitudinal and transverse straps are shown as slidingly guided through loops 90 appropriately placed on intermediate portions of the blanket.

Snap hooks 9i are shown secured at the ends of all of the straps, providing for attachment of the straps to track engaging rings, wherever available.

Fig. 25 shows how the hooks 9 i may be secured by looping the ends of the straps through the strap receiving loops 92 provided on the hooks and how the looped hook securing portions 93 of these straps provide guide loops for the strap sections, in this case 86, extending at right angles thereto. serve as guides through which the straps along those edges of the balnket can slide without interfering with collapsing or closing adjustments of the blanket.

Consideration of Figs. 24 and 25 will show that a blanket so constructed can be hooked into place about all four edges over practically any kind of a load, and the straps then be taken up in all four directions to contract the blanket down over that particular shape and bulk of load.

Fig. 28 illustrates at the right a load of such irregular character covered by one of such blankets which has been connected along its four edges with rings on available skid. tracks and then pulled down by the take-up straps into firm holding engagement over the load.

Fig. 28 also shows how these blankets can be used with stanchions or posts to form bins, rooms or enclosures of difierent shapes and size.

Thus at the left in Fig. 28, two of the universally adjustable blankets 8! are shown, one disposed longitudinally and the other transversely, the longitudinal one hooked to track rings at the top and at the bottom and to edge flanges The loops 93 holding the hooks 9! thus I 94 of posts or stanchions secured between the floor and ceiling of the transport.

Figs. 26 and 27 illustrate details of these stanchions, it being noted, as shown at 95, that they are of tubular construction and that the side flanges 94 have openings 96 to receive the hooks such as 9|. 7

The posts or stanchions 95, like those designated 59 in Fig. 5, may be of adjustable height or length to fit different cargo compartments, or diiierent parts of a compartment of varying height or width.

As particularly shown in Fig. 26, the tubular post has a fixture, 91, at the lower end to hook over a skid rail 21 with a clamp screw 13 at one side to lock it in place. At the top a similar fixture is provided but this is slidingly adjustable in the upper end of the tubular member to facilitate engagement of the fixture with the ceiling rail and to adapt the post to different ceiling heights. If desired, a clamp screw such as shown at 9B, Figure 27, may be provided for securing the upper rail engaging fixture 91 in adjusted relation in the post.

While the tubular form of stanchion is desirable because of strength combined with light weight, it is contemplated that these posts or stanchions may be made up of channel, angle, T or other cross sectional shapes, and also that there may be only one or any number of side flanges for hooking the partitioning blankets thereto. These posts may be of light, extruded metal or be built up in various structural shapes such as indicated.

The adjustable stanchions may be secured horizontally across the sides of a cargo aircraft, as well as vertically, in either case serving to strengthen and brace the basic structure. Also, with skid tracks on the sides as well as on the roof and floor, the stanchions may be mounted in various inclined positions, as special conditions may require.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for the purposes disclosed comprising skid tracks for installation on various walls of a carrier and cargo confining means detachably connectible with and slidably adjustable on said skid tracks, said skid tracks having projecting flanges at the sides of the same and said cargo confining means including rings having jaws engageable under said side flanges, said jaws being spaced apart a distance to pass over the track}: but not over said projecting side flanges, and the latter being interrupted at intervals to admit the jaws of said rings over the tracks into engagement with said side flanges.

2. Apparatus for the purposes disclosed comprising skid tracks for installation on various walls of a carrier and cargo confining means detachably connectible with and slidably adjustable on said skid tracks and including a partition and. means for conforming the same to the cargo compartment of a carrier.

3. Apparatus for the purposes disclosed comprising skid tracks for installation on various walls of a carrier and cargo confining means detachably connectible with and slidably adjustable on said skid tracks and including a partition and means for conforming the same to the cargo compartment of a carrier, including conforming springs confined in edge portions of said partition for adjustably projecting said edge portions into abutting engagement with the surrounding cargo compartment wall.

4. Apparatus for the purposes disclosed comprising skid tracks for installation on various walls of a carrier and cargo confining means detachably connectible with and slidably adjustable on said skid tracks, including slide rings having a sliding adjustment on said tracks and freedom to rock into inclined relation and binding engagement on the tracks effective to lock said rings in canted relation on said tracks.

5. Apparatus for the purposes disclosed comprising skid tracks of channel cross section for installation in the floor of a carrier with the spaced side edges of the channel formation substantially flush with the floor surface to provide parallel skid rails for cargo to be shifted or supported on said floor, said channel formation tracks having projecting flanges along the sides of the same, rings spanning said tracks and having spaced jaws engaged beneath said flanges, said rings when said jaws are engaged beneath said flanges having clearance at the top of the tracks whereby said rings may be rocked while so engaged with the flanges into binding engagement over the top of the tracks to temporarily secure the rings in selected positions of sliding v 10 adjustment along the tracks and cargo confining means attached to said rings.

FRANK L. DAVIS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

' UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 403,724 Barber May 21, 1889 994,822 Daly June 13, 1911 1,064,130 Conlin June 10, 1913 1,156,540 Marquis Oct. 12, 1915 1,192,231 Scott July 25, 1916 1,745,982 Copony Feb. 4, 1930 1,868,638 Mackey July 26, 1932 2,007,514 Wilson et a1 July 9, 1935 2,032,591 Pride Mar. 3, 1936 2,051,381 Kivlin Aug. 18, 1936 2,052,914 Williams Sept. 1, 1936 2,160,870 Jones June 6, 1939 2,165,652 Reifer et al July 11, 1939 2,391,051 Windsor Dec. 18, 1945 

